Preparation

Actually, things are going pretty well on this last day before we leave. We are (more or less) packed and ready to go. It did take us a couple of goes, as the first time we packed, we realized we overestimated the size of our bags. So, throw out a couple pairs of undies, socks, some shirts, and pack it up again. Of course, my bag (Amber) is half-packed with photo taking accessories, but I feel it will be worth wearing the same shirt for 2 weeks straight as long as there is room for my film!

We left our home in Naples a few days earlier, which was the first time I was struck by the fact that we are actually leaving the country for four months. Below is a picture of us just before our departure.

We get to spend one last evening with everyone, and then we are off to the unknown. It has been difficult to say goodbye to friends and family, but knowing that we will be able to share our stories and adventures when we return keeps us looking forward.

We wish you all a wonderful New Year and hope that everyone is happy, healthy and safe when we return (and we'll try to promise the same!)

It is getting down to the last couple of weeks. It seems absolutely surreal, or unreal, right now. Life is going on as it normally would - jobs, chores, etc. I can't believe that two weeks from now I could be on a 36-hour+ journey to Thailand (via Chicago, Tokyo, Singapore, Chiang Mai). We'll be drinking Singapore Slings in no time!

We're just in the last planning stages, mainly focusing on getting our house ready and tying up any loose ends while were gone (anyone interested in mowing our lawn?!?) We found out good news this morning that we should have the house rented for the 4-months that we are gone. That is such a relief and will give us less to worry about while we're away (not that I would worry while on an island in Thailand!)

Stay tuned for any last minute craziness before our departure (that's inevitable, right?) and I may try to post a couple of pictures so I know how to do it when I'm over there. Until then...

Well, Justin and I informed our jobs this week. That means we're officially on! Kind of scary, but also exciting.

For now, our plans are to go to Thailand for Eric's wedding, then travel around a bit, and find some sort of volunteer work while we're over there. We'll probably spend about a month in Thailand, then on to Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. If all goes well and Nepal is safe, we may swing by there and northern India. If further things go well (i.e. we still have $$$), we plan to continue our trip westerly to southern Europe to spend some time with our neighbors from Bavaria and hopefully hook up with a couple of our European friends.

All in all, we plan to be gone for about 4 months - however, the house is yet to be rented which could throw a small wrench into this whole endeavor.

I'll keep you posted.